Llyb Y Cwn / Formalhaut - Mahasamadhi
A collaboration between two solo ambient projects: one from Wales, Llyn Y Cwn, and the other, a Polish act, Formalhaut. They have made this album, which has then been released on the Polish label Fluttering Dragon, both as a limited CD box set and as a regular digipack. "Older" release, which was released back in 2024, but after countless times on my stereo... I concluded that it deserved a review. A 50+ minutes full-length of pure transcendental ambiance.
The concept of this album roughly revolves around the state of the mind when mentally and spiritually going further into the afterlife. It is something from the Hindu/Yogic traditions. About entering a kind of meditative state before death occurs, which will then allow you/your soul to enter a kind of enlightened existence. I am kind of getting back to the album by Sokushinbutsu Project, especially the concept from their debut. Remember? Buddha monks do a kind of self-mummification through meditation. Not sure if it is the same thing, but it sure sounds like it. Let´s check out the audio material!
The first track, Meditative Absorption. Slowly fading in with a horn/deep-trumpet drone, shimmering frost in the air with angelic and layered ambient-synth/strings. The listener will feel that... elevated sensation. Lying on levitating something, getting up there in the clouds. All recorded material is beautifully woven together.
The second track is called Nirvikalpa Samadhi. Kind of beginning where the first track ended. The elevation stops, more in a kind of floating without-moving-sensation. Traces of deep chanting in there, and some fantastic sounding synth-keys. The listener will be totally engulfed/hypnotised in the sound here, and it works very quickly!
The third track, The Ultimate Transcendence. Slowly getting the feeling of movement, weightless travelling. Floatless in space. U get the picture. Or floating in water near the North Pole without freezing to death. We´re still in the same drone-driven realm of sound, but it doesn´t have that repetitive/monotone feel to it.
The rest of the album I would leave in the hands of those who have curious ears. A sound that expands, engulfs, and lifts the listener up would be the three side effects that come with this album. You´ll also end up listening to it again and again, just to get that... feeling. It´s absolutely bloody magnificent. Don´t miss it, give it a listen... like NOW!
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